Mechanical toy



Jan. 4, 1927;

c. A. WETZELL MECHANICAL .TOY

Filed Jan. 8. 1923 Patented Jan. 4, 1927.

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CLARENCE A. WETZELL, OF STERLING, ILLINOIS.

MECHANICAL TOY.

Application filed January 8, 1923.

This invention relates to toys comprising the figure of an animal, or of some other creature, having the body mounted on a wheeled base, and having swinging legs which are automatically moved back and forth when the toy is pulled or otherwise propelled along the door.

Generally stated, the object of the invention is to provide a simple and comparatively inexpensive form of walking toy, which may be manufactured at a comparatively low cost of production, and which will be attractive in appearance, as well as of such a character mechanically that the desired walking effect will be ensured.

Another object is to provide a toy of this general character having means for producing a sound which will be characteristic of the animal or other creature represented by the toy.

It is also an object to provide certain details and features of construction and combinations tending to increase the general efficiency and desirability of a toy of this particular character.

To these and other useful ends the invention consists in matters hereinafter set forth and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a toy dog embodying the principles of the invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan of said toy.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional View of the handle or knob secured to the leading string of the toy shown in Figure 1, which handle is provided with sound producing meansto produce a sound characteristic of the'animal or bird represented by the toy.

Fig. 1 is a frontelevation of said toy.

Fi 5 is a top plan view of said toy.

As thus illustrated, and referring to Figuresl and 2,the invention comprises a body 1 of any suitable character. Preferably, this body is fiat and made by sawing or cutting a flat piece of wood or other similar material into the desired shape. The base 2 is made of sheet metal and is provided with wheels 3 to support the toy on the floor. Upright sheet metal portions t and 5 are rigidly secured to the top of said base and have their upper ends secured to the body 1, in any suitable manner, so that said body ismounted in fixed position on the wheeled base. The front legs 6 of the dog thus shown are pivoted upon opposite sides of the body Serial No. 611,435.

by a transverse pivot of any suitable character, so that said legs are adapted to swing back and forth independently of each other. The hind legs 8 of the dog are similarly mounted and supported by a transverse pivot 9 so that each leg is adapted to swing independently of the other. It will be observed that the feet of said legs swing close to the top of the wheeled base. The rear wheels-have a crank axle 10 to which is secured apitman 11, and this'pitman is connected to a bent rod 12 disposed on the under side of the wheeled base. The said feet of the dogs legs have downwardly extending pins 13 which move back and forth in the slots 14 formed in the top of the wheeled base. Two flat levers 15 and 16 are pivoted respectively at 17 and 18, on the underside of the base, to swing about vertical axes. These lovers have slots 19 for engagingthe pins 13 onthe feet-ofthe toy, and the ends of the rod 12 are connected to the levers 1c and 16 at 20 and 21, respectively, so that reciprocation of the 'pitman 11 serves to vibrate the two levers 15 and 16 in opposite directions. In this way, when the pitman 11 goes forward, the front leg 6 and the hind leg 8 at the near side of the toy swing toward each other, while the legs at the other side of the toy swing away from each other; and, vice versa, when the pitman 11 is pulled backward thelegs on the near side swing away from each other and the legs on the far side swing toward each other; and in this way, the toy has the appearance of walking while being propelled along the floor.

It is desirable that the toy have some means for producing a sound characteristic of the animal or bird or other creature represented. A shown, therefore, each toy has a leading cord 32 towhich is attached a knob or handle 33 of any suitable character. Preferably, however, this knob 33 is hollow and has a rubber bulb 34.- therein. A tube 35 hasa longitudinal passage 36 covered at its inner end by a thin rubber'strip 37, which serves as a reed to produce a sound when the air is expelled from the bulb. The passage 36 opens into the transverse passage 38 in the smaller end of the handle, and when the bulb 34: is pressed at its outer end, so that the air is expelled, the reed 34 vibrates and the sound given olf is preferably onewhich is characteristic, tosome extent, of

the animal or creature represented by the toy. It will be readily understood that the dilference in tone would depend upon the character of the reed 8? and the manner in which it is applied.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the toy is simple and of such a character that it may be manufactured at a comparatively low cost of production. At the same time, however, the general effect of a walking motion is ensured, as the toy is pulled or otherwise propelled along the floor. Again, it will be seen that the mechanism for operating the legs is very simple, and is disposed in the horizontal plane of the flat body 2, so that this mechanism does not show either above or below the base when the toy is in action on the floor. The operating mechanism, moreover, is so simple and strong that it is not liable to get out of order. Also, when the toy is turned upside down, the operating mechanism is exposed to view and may be repaired when necessary. Each leg of the toy, it will be seen, comprises only one rigid section, so that each leg has only one axis of motion. 'The means which are rigid with the lower ends of the legs extend through the slots in the base to engage the operating mechanism, which latter, in either case, comprises horizontally movable elements having direct engagement with the said rigid means on the lower ends of the le s.

will be seen that each leg is actuated at the lower end thereof, and that no actuating mechanism is contained within the body of the animal or figure. It will also be seen that the actuating mechanism is driven from only the rear wheels of the wheeled base. Consequently, should the front end be pulled off the floor, the actuating mechanism will still function to actuate each leg of the figure. This is important in a pull toy, for the pull on the handle and the string is applied to the front end of the toy, necessarily, and in an upward direction, so that the pull is liable to lift the front wheels off the floor; but with the logs actuated from the rear wheels only, the lifting of the front end of the toy will not interfere with the motion of any one of the legs. it will also be seen that this motion of the legs is relatively to the rigid means i by which the body of the figure is rigidly mounted in fixed position on the wheeled base. There is no motion of the body, relatively to the wheeled base, and the entire actuating mechanism is below the feet of the figure and on the under side of the base, which is of advantage both in the manufacture and the use of the toy.

Thus the figure has a rigid support, so that all of the legs hang from the body and swing freely, and each and every leg is operated by mechanism within the base, so that notwithstanding that each and every leg of the figure is positively actuated, there is no mechanism in the figure itself, the entire actuating mechanism being within the base and below the top wall thereof, whereby no portion of said mechanism projects above the top of the base.

Thus the bars 15 and 16 are maintained at opposite angles, as shown and described, so that the legs at one side move toward each other while the legs at the other side move away from each other, to ensure a characteristic trotting motion for the dog or figure, and thismotion is produced by the handle 83, which latter is not only a pull handle, but also a sound producing device having pneumatic means for producing a sound for the figure, and it will be seen that the sound is produced at the end of the handle where the pull cord is attached, so that the sound is released from the end of the handle which is nearest the dog or other figure.

Thus, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the front legs are connected to the hind legs through the medium of mechanism having movement in a horizontal plane on the underside of the base upon which the toy figure representing the dog or other live creature is mounted.

Thus the handle for pulling the toy has three functions, as follows: First, the handle functions to pull the toy along; second, the handle functions to produce a sound for the toy; and third, the handle functions as a medium through which a pull is exerted to cause the operation of the mechanism by which the legs are individually actuated.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In a mechanical pull toy, the combination of a body, a wheeled base having front and rear wheels, rigid means to mount the body in fixed and relatively stationary position on said base, legs pivoted to swing on said body, so that each leg swings freely and is supported by the body, a pulling connect-ion for the front end of the toy, said base having longitudinal slot-s, operating mechanism on the under side of said base, driven by one or more of the rear wheels only of said base, whereby to prevent raising of the front wheels from interfering with the operation of the legs, should the front end of the toy be lifted by said pulling connection, and means rigid with each of said legs to extend downward through said slots to engage saic. mechanism, so that each leg is hung from the body and is actuated at its lower end independently to swing relatively to said rigid means, said operating mechanism comprising a bar pivoted on the under side of said body, operable in a horizontally disposed plane, with slots in the end portions of said bar to engage the means on the lower ends of legs, and means to actuate said bar to vibrate the legs connected thereto.

2. In a mechanical pull toy, the combination of a body, a wheeledbase having front and rear wheels, rigid means to mount the body in fixed and relatively stationary position on said base,-legs pivoted to swing on said body, so that each leg swings freely and is supported by the body, a pulling connection for the front end of the toy, said base having longitudinal slots, operating mechanism on the under side ofsaid base, driven by one or more of the rear wheels only of said base, whereby to prevent raising of the front wheels from interfering with the operation of the legs, should the front end of the toy be lifted by said pulling connection, and means rigid with each of said legs to extend downward through said slots to engage said mechanism, so that each leg is hung from the body and is actuated at its lower end independently to swing relatively to said rigid means, said mechanism comprising pivoted bars slotted to engage the means on the lower ends of the legs, and means to actuate said bars.

3. In a mechanical toy, the combination of a body, a wheeled base, rigid means to mount the body in fixed and relatively stationary position on said base, legs pivoted to swing on said body, so that each leg swings freely and is supported by the body, said base having longitudinal slots, operating mechanism on the under side of said base, driven by one or more of the wheels of said base, and means rigid with each of said legs to extend downward through said slots to engage said mechanism, so that each leg is hung from the body and is actuated at its lower end to swing relatively to said rigid means, said operating mechanism comprising a bar pivoted on the under side of said body, operable in a horizontally disposed plane, with slots in the end portions of said bar to engage the means on the lower ends of legs, and means to actuate said bar to vibrate the legs connected thereto.

4. In a mechanical toy, the combination of a body, a wheeled base, rigid means to mount the body in fixed and relatively stationary position on said base, legs pivoted to swing 011 said body, so that each leg swings freely and is supported by the body, said base having longitudinal slots, operating mechanism on the under side of said base, driven by one or more of the wheels of said base, and means rigid with each of said legs to extend downward through said slots to engage said mechanism, so that each leg is hung from the body and is actuated at its lower end to swing relatively to said rigid means, said mechanism comprising pivoted bars slotted to engage the means on the lower ends of the legs, and means to actuate said bars.

5. A structure as specified in claim l, said bars being set at opposite angles, so that the two legs at one side move toward each other while the legs at the other side move away from each other, and vice versa, when the two bars are vibrated about their pivots.

(1A structure as specified in claim l, in combination with a pull handle connected to the toy to cause the actuation of said bars, said handle having means therein operated by air to produce a sound for the toy.

7 A structure as specified in claim 4, said means for actuating the'bars eomprisinga member connecting the two bars together, maintaining the bars at opposite angles, and a pitman connected to saidmember and extending rearward to a crank on the axle of the rear wheels.

8. In a mechanical pull toy, the combination of a body, a wheeled base having front and rear wheels, rigid means to mountxthe body in fixed and relativelystationary position on said base, legs pivoted to swing on said body, so that each leg swings freely and is supported by the body, a pulling'connection for the front end of the toy, said base having longitudinal slots, operating mechanism on the under side of said base, driven by one ormore of the rear wheels only ofsaid base, whereby to prevent raising of the front wheels from interfering with the operation of the legs, should the front end of the toy be lifted by said pulhng connection, and means rigid witheach of said legs to extend downward through said slots to engage said mechanism, so that each leg is hung from the body and is actuated at its lowerend independently to swingrelatively to said rigid means, said operating mechanism comprising means having back and forth motion in a horizontal plane on the under side of said base, said legs being four in number, and said mechanism con necting the front legs with the rear legs.

9. in a mechanical pull toy, the combination of a body, a wheeledbase having front and rear wheels, rigid means to mount the body in fixed and relatively stationary position on said base, legs pivoted to swing on said body, so that each leg swings freely and is supported by the body, a pulling connection for the front end of the toy, said base having longitudinal slots, operatingmechanism on the under side of saidbase, driven by one or more of the rear wheels only of said base, whereby to prevent raising of the front wheels from interfering with the operation of the legs, should the front end of the toy be lifted by said pulling connection, and means rigid with each of said legs to extend downward through said slots to engage said mechani m, so that each leg is hung from the body and is actuated at its lower end independently to swing relatively to said rigid means, said operating mechanism comprising members having slots, and means having back and forth movement in said slot-s, said legs being four in number ill) and the front legs being connected with the hind legs through the medium of said mechanism, so that the legs at either side move toward each other while the legs at the other side move away from each other, during the operation of the toy.

10. In a mechanical toy, the combination of a body, a wheeled base having front and rear wheels, rigid means to mountthe body in fixed and relatively stationary position on said base, legs pivoted to swing on said body, so that each leg swings freely and is supported by the body, said base having longitudinal slots, operating mechanism on the under side of said base, driven by one or more of the rear wheels of said base, whereby to prevent raising of the front wheels from interfering with the operation of the legs, and means rigid with each of said legs to extend downward through said slots to engage said mechanism, so that each leg is hung from the body and is ctuated at its lower end independently to swing relatively to said rigid means, said operating mechanism comprising a bar pivoted on the under side of said body, opera his in a horizontally disposed plane, with slots in the end portions of said bar to engage the means on the lower ends of legs, and means to actuate said bar to vibrate the legs connected thereto.

7 11. In a mechanical toy, the combination of a body, a wheeled base having front and rear wheels, rigid means to mount the body in fixed and relatively stationary position on said base, legs pivoted to swing on said body, so that each leg swings freely and is supported by the body, said base having longitutudinal slots, operating mechanism on the under side of said base, driven by one or more of the rear wheels ofsaid base, where by to prevent raising of the front wheels from interfering with the operation of the legs, and means rigid with each of said legs to extend downward through said slots to engage said mechanism, so that each leg is hung from the body and is actuated at its lower end independently to swing relatively to said rigid means, said mechanism comprising pivoted bars slotted to engage the means on the lower ends of the legs, and means to actuatesaid bars.

12. In a mechanical toy, the combination of a body, a wheeled base having front and rear wheels, rigid means to mount the body in fixed and relatively stationary position on said base, legs pivoted to swing on said body, so that each leg swings freely and is supported by the body, said base having longitudinal slots, operating mechanism on the under side of said base, driven by one or more of the rear wheels of said base, whereby to prevent raising of the front wheels from interfering with the operation of the legs, and means rigid with each of said legs to extend downward through said slots to engage said mechanism, so that each leg is hung from the body and is actuated at its lower end independently to swing relatively to said rigid means, said operating mechanism comprising means having back and forth motion in a horizontal plane on the under side of said base, said legs being four in number, and said mechanism connecting the front legs with the rear legs.

13. In a mechanical toy, the combination of a body, a wheeled base having front and rear wheels, rigid means to mount the body in fixed and relatively stationary position on said base, legs pivoted to swing on said body, so that each leg swings freely and is supported by the body, said base having longitudinal slots, operating mechanism on the under side of said base, driven by one or more of the rear wheels of said base, whereby to prevent raising of the front wheels from interfering with the operation of the legs, and means rigid with each of said legs to extend downward through said slots to engage said mechanism, so that each leg is hung from the body and is actuated at its lower end indeoendentl T to swin relativel to said rigid means, said operating mechanism comprising members having slots, and means having back and forth movement in said slots, said legs being four in number and the front legs being connected with the hind legs through the medium of said mechanism, so that the legs at either side move toward each other while the legs at the other side move away from each other, during the operation of the toy.

CLARENCE A. l/VETZELL. 

